A change of rules on Capitol Hill. Using the so-called "nuclear option," Democratic-controlled Senate stripped the ability of Republicans to block presidential nominations.
Now, the Senate needs a vote of only 51 - from 60 - to end filibusters against presidential nominees. The new rule won't apply to Supreme Court nominees.
Historically - filibusters have been used to delay executive and judicial nominees from assuming their roles - a tool President Barack Obama called "reckless and relentless."
(SOUNDBITE) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"The vote today I think is an indication that a majority of Senators believe, as I believe, that enough is enough."
The move came after Democrats' frustration at Republicans for using the filibuster to block Obama's appointments to the D.C. U.S. Court of Appeals -- the nation's second highest court.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
(SOUNDBITE) SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID SAYING:
"Everyone knows what is going on is absolutely unfair and wrong and I'm glad we changed it. It is a day of freshness for this great country of ours."
But, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell insisted that there was no need for a rule change.
(SOUNDBITE) SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL SAYING:
"This was nothing more than a power grab in order to try to advance the Obama Administration's regulatory agenda."
The filibuster has become a symbol of Washington gridlock and survived dozens of attacks over the years largely because both political parties use it while in the minority of the Senate.

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